No standard video out (mini-HDMI Port only); No included video cable; No Depth of Field Preview or Mirror Lockup features; Slightly slower burst frame rate when using AF-C (Continuous AF) in some conditions; No video capture feature; No way to turn off high ISO Noise Reduction (Normal or High options only)

Bottom Line

Sony has created a very interesting dSLR model and the A500 is likely
to appeal to a variety of photographers looking for a unique camera
with the ability to perform well in a wide range of conditions, thanks
to it's excellent performance for a camera at this price point, With
features that a more experienced photographer or a first time dSLR
owner can appreciate. Read Steve's Conclusion to see our complete thoughts on the A500.

Sony starts off their line-up of
new DSLR cameras with the Alpha-500. the a500 boasts Sony's new
12.3-megapixel Exmor CMOS sensor and the BIONZ image processor to
improve the ease of shooting and get clearer images. Also new to the
Sony DSLR line is the in-camera High Dynamic Range feature. This option
will help bring out details commonly lost in shadows and evens out
backlit subjects. Sony has also improved their Live View by using two
sensors to maintain focus speed. The Quick AF Live view has been
developed with Face Detection technology, and is the worlds first face
detection system to work with fast, high-precision "phase detection"
auto focus. Smile Shutter technology debuts for the first time in a
dSLR in the a500 as well. Just like with Cyber-Shot models, Smile
Shutter will take a picture when it detects that your subject is
smiling. The a500 uses the Memory Stick Pro Duo, SD and SDHC memory
cards and is also compatible with Son's new 32GB Memory Stick PRO-Duo
HX card.

DSLR-A500 Features
:

12.3-megapixel all new Sony Exmor CMOS image sensor

BIONZ image processor

Anti-dust system automatically shakes dust off the imager

Sony Alpha/Minolta-A bayonet lens mount

Recording choice of JPEG, RAW, or RAW+JPEG

Shoot at 3:2 or 16:9 (HDTV) aspect ratios

Super SteadyShot anti-shake system with viewfinder indicator

D-Range Optimizer for greater highlight and shadow detail

Large tilting 3.0-inch TFT color Clear Photo LCD Plus screen

Quick Auto Focus Live View function allows you to use the LCD to frame your pictures

Penta-Dach-mirror viewfinder with 95% coverage and Eye Start AF

9-point AF with Wide, Spot and Local Area Selection

Eye-start Auto Focus, starts the focus process when you put your eye up to the viewfinder

The DSLR-A500 is available in several different ways, you
can purchase just the camera body (DSLR-A500 MSRP$749.99) or a body and
lens kit like we tested. The kit configuration includes the SAL1855 SAM
DT Lens (DSLR-A500L MSRP $849.99).

The DSLR-500L Kit includes:

a500 camera body

SAL-1855 camera lens

Rechargeable battery pack

Battery charger and power cord

USB cable

Shoulder strap

Eyepiece cover

Eyecup

CD-ROM (application software for the camera

owners manual

Below you will find the original Sony press release:

SAN DIEGO, Aug.
27, 2009 - Sony
today introduced two α (alpha) DSLR
cameras with a new generation of Exmor™ CMOS sensors and
BIONZ™ image processors, which make it easy for
active shooters to get the best shot and capture clearer
images--without missing their favorite moments.

"We
are bringing performance of a higher class of cameras within the
reach of a broader group of consumers," said Mark Weir, senior
manager of the Digital Imaging business at Sony Electronics. "Not
only do these cameras provide great value, but they also bring faster
shooting speeds and new technologies like in-camera High Dynamic
Range and new Live View features to mainstream photo enthusiasts."

Fast
Shooting Speeds

With
its unique sensor-processor combination, the α550 camera is the
first DSLR in its class with seven frames per second shooting speed
for under $1,000. Using the optical viewfinder on both models, you
can shoot up to five frames per second and up to four frames per
second with Quick Auto Focus Live View. This helps you capture the
decisive moment when shooting fast moving subjects like in sports.

In-Camera
High Dynamic Range

These are Sony's first DSLR cameras that offer an in-camera High
Dynamic Range (HDR) feature for capturing highlights and shadows,
which processes the image within two seconds. Unlike HDR features in
other DSLR cameras, Sony's unique positional interpolation
technology can overcome slight changes in camera position and align
individual shots so that a tripod is not required.

The feature handles severe backlighting and other high-contrast
scenes like looking out a window into bright daylight. The in-camera
auto HDR technology combines the highlight and shadow detail of two
separate captures into one remarkably natural looking image.

Improved
Live View

Because composing shots on the LCD monitor is becoming increasingly
important to DSLR users, Sony has equipped these cameras with two
Live View functions and a 3-inch (measured diagonally) LCD screen
that tilts 90 degrees up or down. The α500
has a 230,000 pixel Clear Photo LCD Plus™ screen,
and the α550 has
a 921,000 pixel Xtra Fine LCD™ display.

Sony's Quick AF Live View uses two sensors to maintain the same
focusing speed as with the optical viewfinder. While the speed of
Quick AF Live View is ideal for every day shooting, Manual Focus
Check Live View enables critical framing and magnification for
setting precise manual focus in macro and tripod shooting. Temporary
7x and 14x zoom views enable you to focus on extremely fine detail
while the 1x view shows 100 percent framing in the LCD.

The Quick Auto Focus Live View has been developed with Face Detection
technology to help you get the best shot by recognizing and adjusting
for faces. It is the world's first Face Detection system to work
with fast, high-precision "phase detection" Auto Focus. By
tracking up to eight faces, this system can prioritize auto focus
points on a face, and optimize exposure and white balance for
beautiful portraits.

These are Sony's first DSLR cameras that include Smile ShutterTM
technology in Live View, which takes the shot when your subject
smiles. It works with Quick Auto Focus Live View to capture
spontaneous moments.

Image stabilization helps take blur-free shots by compensating for
camera shake. Typical DSLR systems build image stabilization into
selected lenses only. SteadyShot INSIDE™ image stabilization is
built into the camera body itself. Blur will also be reduced with
every A-mount lens, including macro and wide aperture standard zoom
lenses, with an effect equivalent to shutter speeds faster by 2.5 to
4 stops.

To make the benefits of macro photography
easier and more accessible, Sony is making available at retail the DT
30mm F/2.8 (model SAL30M28) macro lens. It captures intricate
close-ups, which is difficult to achieve with standard lenses and is
only compatible with APS-C format DSLRs.

Memory
Cards

For
higher capacity storage with greater connectivity and faster transfer
speeds, the new DSLRs are compatible with Sony's newest 32GB
Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo™ HX media. The HX series card is
designed to deliver optimal read and write speeds for a growing
number of products that require high-bandwidth memory in order to
capture and store large data files.

Using the HX series media, Sony α
(alpha) DSLR users can confidently enjoy advanced features
such as continuous-shooting photography and realize
higher transfer rates of large capacity files to their
compatible PC (via supplied USB adapter). For example with the
α550 model, approximately 1500 14-megapixel photos shot in the
JPEG+RAW mode can be transferred to a compatible PC in
approximately 26 minutes (HX series media sold separately).

The α550 (model
DSLR-A550) and α500 (model DSLR-A500), which come with the camera
body only, will cost about $950 and $750 respectively. The α550L and
α500L, which come with the camera body and 18-55 kit lens, will cost
about $1050 and $850, respectively. The
SAL30M28 macro lens will be available for about $200.

The
cameras, lens and a range of accessories will be available in October
at Sony Style® retail stores (www.sonystyle.com/retail),
at military base exchanges and at authorized dealers nationwide.

Visitors of Steves can visit the stores below for real-time pricing and availability. You can also find hot, soon to expire online offers on a variety of cameras and accessories at our very own Camera Deals page.